it is doing so in a media spotlight. In the afternoon...the afternoon of May ##, a major earthquake measuring #.#...on the Richter scale hit a small county in Sichuan, in...strongest earthquake in three decades. As of yesterday, close to ##

primary indicated that race was a factor for over ##% of...educated voters. This could become a major impediment to his prospects...American to the head of a major party would signal a major shift in the political...dissipated. Overt racism is now a major social taboo. However, racial

uncertainties pose increasing downside risks: A global slowdown may weaken prices...regimes are facing practical challenges, as African countries have begun to...the nominal exchange rate, or a broad range of other indicators...push#; and local #;pull#; factors, a number of SSA economies have

good results for the For a European Serbia (ZES) coalition, led...SRS) won ##% (## seats), a fall from the January ####...was hailed by its leaders as a triumph. Serbia: Parliamentary elections Main...Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) For a European Serbia (ZES -- DS+G##

UK economy. His remarks follow a more optimistic report earlier this...risk-taking by investors against a background of benign economic conditions...benign economic conditions. This was a key factor in last year...and which factors are preventing a return of the interbank market

consumer demand within the region. A report by the UN Economic...FDI) in the region reached a record high of ### billion...dollars in ####, up from a previous record of ## billion...though global FDI also set a new record and reached an

and haphazardly, and now is a pervasive and efficient #;network of...and international knock-on effects.As key parts of social, economic...and effects of #;network collapse#;; as the internet evolves into a more extensive and complex network...increase in range and frequency.As evidence of structural tremors has

officials remain committed to pursuing a market-based model for regulation...PWG) on April ## released a report on #;best practices#; for...is principles-based and represents a significant departure from the more...strategy hedge funds cater to a variety of institutional investors -- including

on May # to adopt a major report on lobbying transparency...transparency. The report largely endorsed a draft code of conduct for...paving the way for introducing a common system for registering and...May # voted to adopt a report calling for stricter rules

Bambang Yudhoyono last month signed a presidential degree establishing a government team to organise the...the state. For more than a year, he had appeared reluctant...####-##), the military established a vast web of enterprises, foundations...larger businesses suffered heavily as a result of the ####-##

Mitsubishi#;s formal launch of a regional jet programme, the market...intended to insulate Japan from a challenge at the WTO, which...Mitsubishi intends using its experience as a supplier to Boeing and Europe...Boeing and Europe#;s Airbus as a platform for entering a market where it expects to

unlikely to include media freedom, as understood in the West. Instead...has already described the media as a branch of power. The televised...May # was more than a well-prepared and slightly pompous...marked the firm establishment of a televised state ritual, aimed at

economies. International patent filings are a clear indicator of a country#;s technological competence and...exclusively so; some sectors -- such as mining or IT services -- do...IT services -- do not have a high propensity to patent. Other...graduates from universities. International patents -- a subset of all patent activity

near future, raising questions over a possible re-election bid. Public...It marks the first time a member of the FARC#;s...campaign: Many remain unfilled, such as wider health care coverage, universal...through many substantive policy reforms as a #;lame duck#; president. Paramilitary demobilisation

predominantly sponsored by developing countries. As such, it is conceivable that...important sources of development finance. A key question is the role...in underserved financial markets, such as sub-Saharan Africa. Sovereign wealth...suggests they will increasingly have a key development role. Some have

has made improving bilateral relations a priority, and his presidency has...his presidency has generally witnessed a significant rise in US-Indian...nuclear deal suggest that building a strong partnership will be a painstaking process. This is largely...Under Bush, there has been a steady rise in the priority

in Kyrgyzstan in #### in a move designed to counterbalance the...### personnel. The shooting of a Russian officer from the base...night of April ##-##, a Russian army officer was shot...army officer was shot after a vehicle carrying military personnel from

Combined with the creation of a pro-presidential party in January...January, the new government is a powerful reassertion of the interests...replaced Premier Zeine Ould Zeidane, a political independent and rival for...minister is regarded by some as a presidential ultra-loyalist and by

month#;s terrorist attack on a military parade attended by President...capacity to maintain security at a time when NATO is keen...challenges, and is undermined by a lack of consensus about the...and has been widely perceived as the product of the Pakistani

up to the next election. A general election is due by...timing to be decided by a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP...the more important lower house. A general election has to be...can win enough to form a government.LDP decline In the

Morales yesterday signed into law a recall referendum for the presidency...August ##. Morales calculates that a recall referendum would reaffirm his...his political standing, while offering a distraction from departmental referendums on...autonomy. On May #, in a surprise move, the opposition-controlled

market#;s ability to absorb a massive inflow of new state...companies.The government has presented a list of ### companies subject...WSE). It has also presented a list of companies that will...Although this status was devised as a temporary legal form ahead of

in the early phases of a new drawn-out civil conflict...are very different, there are a number of similarities which can...predict the course of events. A high-level Arab league delegation...s decision to close down a Hizbollah telecommunications network: The army

launched an assault on Omdurman, a western suburb of Khartoum. Omdurman...This is the first time a Darfur rebel group has staged...rebels, but their attack highlights a number of concerns for the...capital, but aimed to send a warning to the government and

the presidency and been installed as prime minister, he is directly...economic policy. On May #, as President Dmitry Medvedev#;s nominee...the autumn, possibly implying a downgrading of the new president...ministerial remit. Rather than give a comprehensive assessment of the state

people was carried out by a monarchist group with ties to...that is based in exile, as well as the various internal ethnic and...and reflects the diversity of a population in which almost ##...with the main groupings such as the People#;s Mojahedin Organisation

s President Hu Jintao ended a five-day official visit to...#-##, his first visit as president; and the first for...president; and the first for a decade by a Chinese president since Jiang Zemin...December, in what was described as a #;springtime#; for bilateral ties. Hu

The government last week imposed a ban on futures trading in...troubles - April ##, ####): With a general election due by May...going to the polls during a period of high inflation. With...In fact, the report of a much delayed government committee -- set

under management worldwide in ####. As such, their governance -- which refers...fund governance remains inadequate and a shift from poor to good...In short, the governance of a pension considers the factors affecting...its core, good governance requires a sound investment policy underpinned by

the priority given to prevention as opposed to hospital care in...The fight against dengue represents a challenge for many developing world...many developing world health systems, as it requires both prevention and...increasing human migration and travel, as well as global warming, have all contributed

in October ####, resumed office as prime minister, following the retirement...His return helped to ensure a clear win in the April...League of Communists, and oppose a DPS-sponsored bill that will...open up to EU purchasers. As selling prime land to foreigners

the past five years. However, a sharp decline last year, despite...has attributed the dip to a decline in the oil and...see QATAR: Gas drives emergence as economic giant - September ##, ####...inflation has also been having a growing impact on the economy

which ocean circulations change with a warming climate, how changing sea...temperatures and solar activity is a key focus of current climate...of ocean circulation suggests that a warming climate will result in...water below; and evaporate at a faster rate, thus weakening circulation

could outrun tycoon#;s luck A profile of Oleg Deripaska, reportedly...s richest man. Deripaska owns a business empire including a ##% stake in the world...Russia#;s new political conditions, as the balance of interest between...groups changes. Oleg Deripaska is a powerful self-made man with

inflationary pressure. On May #, as components of a package of measures aimed at...avoid negative real interest rates. As a result, the disincentive towards -- badly...first quarter of this year, a further #.# billion dollars...####, imports increased by ###%. A devaluation later this year or

for wage and monetary policy, as well as for the value of the...in March from its level a year earlier, which compares with...year earlier, which compares with a #.#% increase in February...price movement is cost-push, as rising commodity prices are transmitted

over the past six years as supply-side concerns have eased...to other renewables, PV has a relatively well-established track record...support mechanisms are in place.A growing number of manufacturers are...and #;Concentrating Solar Power#; plants. As such, solar technology is heading

s domestic market, pre-empting a repeat of last year#;s...yet still ##% higher than a year earlier. Russia may yet...has been no indication of a shift in Kazakhstan#;s position...including Australia and India, causing a surge in prices (see INTERNATIONAL

likely to expand Private lawsuits as #;regulatory tools#;. Legislation has been...has been introduced to overturn a Supreme Court decision and allow...Enforcement Act of #### (EJEA); a parallel measure was offered in...oppose the bill, it signals a trend that bears watching, as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton

national rice crop and contain a third of the country#;s...embassy in Rangoon has estimated a death toll of at least...For example, there is only a minimal presence of security forces...of security forces in Rangoon -- a sharp contrast with their rapid

Tibetan and foreign activists for a #;free Tibet#; upset torch relays...Tibet#; upset torch relays in a number of countries. Pro-China...China has risked coming across as shrill and immoderate. The public...China. Issues here came to a head in Hong Kong, a territory guaranteed freedoms that were

brought forward parliamentary elections by a year to run in tandem...their overwhelming dominance of parliament. As in every previous poll since...be maintained. Security first Since a failed coup attempt in ####...regime - June ##, ####). Despite a campaign pledge that "to determine

over #,### years, began a major eruption on May #...the area#;s economic future as well as the fauna and flora of...expelled lava, it has raised a plume of gas, ash and...reach Buenos Aires. Volcanic Chile As well as being prone to earthquakes, Chile

Muslims and threatened to provoke a strong backlash against the Netherlands...##, ####). It also provoked a sharp debate in the Dutch...TON) -- to immediate popular success. A poll taken in April showed...of the party becomes clear. A survey of likely TON voters

enter the autumn campaign with a large #;brand#; advantage, but this...more encouraging. Unless there is a major political sea-change, this...elections has been that when a party holds the White House...it often struggles to secure a further term in office under

However, the current government faces a series of immediate challenges that...growth is to continue at a high level. Analysis of the...#.# million people, including a third of all children, living...Israel scores ##.#% versus a Western average of ##.#

months, the index has described a full circle, returning to values...#### by more than ###%, a pace that internationally was second...further strong growth, albeit not as strong as in #### -- somewhere in the...been utterly different. Having reached a new record of #,###

those run by the opposition, a minister said on May #...the biggest airport and seaport, as well as the automotive, electrical and electronics...air and seaports. It is a key tourist destination, a centre of the electronics sector...to the PAS, due to a constitutional stipulation that the chief